Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 200,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

Sick Wagovan If only people realized how rare they are and hard to find in great condition I use to daily my Sti and kept my dc2 parked, so I def understand where your coming from. Clean X3 btw

Thank you sir, Its a civic wagon (not a wagovan- the moderators on Civicwagon.com will have your hide for not using the correct terms, lols ) Like calling every gsr a type-r or the opposite of that. Wagovan was the lowest model of civic wagon and I believe only made in 88-89. And there are bunch of other differences but no one cares... So yeah do you still have your DC?

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Well the good news is you won't be able to see the brake dust on your wheels now.

she's about due for an oil change. Stealership said its 98 bucks, is that normal? The Hondar can have a year supply of oil changes for that price. This must be what they call the BMW tax.

Looking good, and welcome aboard

My indy charges me $95, and tells me he makes $10 after buying the redline oil i specify (sounds about right after you look at quart prices of redline online), I think BMW here charges 90-$100 as well. You are paying for full synthetic, and hopefully high quality oil, and of course BMW's labor rate of $120/hr. Also, you get free coffee and internet while you wait, so that has to be paid for too

Remember though, you don't need an oil change every 3k like with the Honda. While BMW recommends 15k while under their warrantied service, most people will recommend a change every 5k-7500 from what I find. I set out for the 5k interval myself, and usually get it in the shop by 5500.

My indy charges me $95, and tells me he makes $10 after buying the redline oil i specify (sounds about right after you look at quart prices of redline online), I think BMW here charges 90-$100 as well. You are paying for full synthetic, and hopefully high quality oil, and of course BMW's labor rate of $120/hr. Also, you get free coffee and internet while you wait, so that has to be paid for too

Remember though, you don't need an oil change every 3k like with the Honda. While BMW recommends 15k while under their warrantied service, most people will recommend a change every 5k-7500 from what I find. I set out for the 5k interval myself, and usually get it in the shop by 5500.

Where do you get a BMW labor rate of $120?

I was quoted $1200 to install a hitch. I was also quoted, by the same dealer (hereafter known as the schmealer), a hitch kit price of around $400. I assume the hitch kit costs them 50% of retail so they were quoting $1000 for a few hours work.

For the noob, problem areas for this car:

- transmission
- sun roof cassette - very expensive to replace, I agree about not using it unless you have to. I open the interior piece but leave that enormous glass thing alone. I cannot remember if the motor burns out or cheap plastic clippies break. Maybe both.
- roof drains need to be cleaned or water flows into the interior
- front drain underneath windshield needs to be cleaned or water flows into the interior
- bumpy ride
- printing on steering wheel does not hold up - IIRC no one is supposed to put anything on their hands like lotion while touching it. Yes, I actually heard that one and then I did this

Otherwise, a more-than-usual reliable car (according to the internet so it must be true) for a BMW.

I was quoted $1200 to install a hitch. I was also quoted, by the same dealer (hereafter known as the schmealer), a hitch kit price of around $400. I assume the hitch kit costs them 50% of retail so they were quoting $1000 for a few hours work.

I'm pretty sure that's what was printed on the wall in the shop... That doesn't mean if the job takes an hour it's $120 in labor though of course, if the book calls for 2.5 you get charged for 2.5, regardless of how long it actually takes (benefit of having a good Indy you can trust if you are out of warranty).

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

- sun roof cassette - very expensive to replace, I agree about not using it unless you have to. I open the interior piece but leave that enormous glass thing alone. I cannot remember if the motor burns out or cheap plastic clippies break. Maybe both.

The plastic parts go to $hit with time. There is the mod to take care of the back glass panel from sticking in the vent position, but I've learned the fronts will eventually crack anyway... Going to replace all plastic parts soon on my own, not a fun task from what I can tell.

Yeah the sun roof is a pile of poo (cant say ****)- but its fun to open when you get up the mountains and are cruising around.

As for a hitch install (PPXYZ), You should just do it yourself, there is a great how-to in the quick links, with pix and step by step instructions. I guess it all depends on what your time is worth to you???

As for a hitch install (PPXYZ), You should just do it yourself, there is a great how-to in the quick links, with pix and step by step instructions. I guess it all depends on what your time is worth to you???

as to installing the hitch.

Just kidding. I don't actually want to tow anything, I just need the receiver for this step:

I was told that the square in this photograph to the right and above the hitch is a "tow hitch" for when the X3 needs towing. Seems like there should be a receiver behind that as well. Maybe that is all I need....need to look into this a bit more.

I was told that the square in this photograph to the right and above the hitch is a "tow hitch" for when the X3 needs towing. Seems like there should be a receiver behind that as well. Maybe that is all I need....need to look into this a bit more.

Of course I could do all this and the dogs will probably not use it anyway.

Ah! A little clarification of terms....
Heheh... given that I've had to have my X3 flat-bedded once... dead starter...
That little square covers a threaded whole where your towing eye ( for if you break down...) screws in. The eye is stored in a little tool compartment under the left rear of the trunk floor. Don't know if anyone else makes stuff that can screw into that hole.

I originally got my trailer hitch receiver to carry my mountain bikes around... then my wife and I bought a house... next thing you know I'm renting uhaul trailers all the time for home improvement projects...
... like bringing home wood flooring.
Or...
...hauling a piano home, from Florida... lol!! On that trip, I drove down with the bike carrier on attached to the receiver, coming back I tossed everything in the trailer.

I intend to use mine for a bike carrier most of the time but it might pull my boat a couple of times a year. It is 3500 pounds all up and I will only pull it 35 miles a couple of times a year. There are advantages to living in a flat state. The link does work in spite of the jolly roger, it takes you to the sailing site where I am active.

Ah! A little clarification of terms....
Heheh... given that I've had to have my X3 flat-bedded once... dead starter...
That little square covers a threaded whole where your towing eye ( for if you break down...) screws in. The eye is stored in a little tool compartment under the left rear of the trunk floor. Don't know if anyone else makes stuff that can screw into that hole.